As a business owner, you’re well aware of just how important it is to be able to quickly and securely access your data. That’s where a business server comes in handy.
You’re also probably aware that there are a lot of options when it comes to choosing the right server for your needs. You can go cloud-based or use a third-party server hosting company, for example. For small and medium-sized businesses, though, there’s really only one server solution you should consider.
Here’s a look at the top five benefits of hosting your own business server.
It’s less expensive over time.
When you’re growing a business, each penny counts. And let’s face it – servers can be an expensive investment. That leads a lot of owners to renting. It seems cheaper, but truly it could cost you much more over the span of just a few years.
Yes, buying a server outright will cost you a bit more up front. But once you buy a dedicated business server, you own it forever. While it might be a bit costly at first, it’s ultimately cheaper than renting a server from another company that charges monthly and adds on additional fees.
If you are looking to cut costs, you can always consider purchasing a refurbished server. When purchased from a reliable retailer, they can be as functional — if not more, in some cases — than newer models. And they can cost around 50% less than newer models.
You get total control.
You deserve to make the decisions when it comes to managing your data. When you host your own dedicated business server, you get total control over what device you use, what software you install, who can access it, when they can access it and how you upgrade it.
That’s important for small and medium-sized businesses who don’t always have a lot of budget space for outsourcing technology. It’s also ideal for those who interact intimately with customers and need quick access to important data.
Renting a server or sharing one with other companies automatically puts you at the mercy of someone else, meaning you’ll likely have to wait for upgrades and IT support.
It’s more secure.
We all know how important it is to protect data — both for your safety and your customers’. If a shared server gets hacked, you’re at risk. If someone gets into the cloud you’re using, your data becomes compromised. Hosting your own server, on the other hand, prevents third-party problems and data breaches.
Plus, hosting your own server puts you in the best place should the unthinkable happen. You can perform a manual backup or reboot on the spot, without having to wait for out-of-office IT support.
All of this leads to improved productivity in your office and increased trust from your customers.
You get more power.
On-site servers also tend to offer more bandwidth than cloud-based or shared alternatives.
If you and your team are sending big files, like videos, back and forth, a cloud-based server or one that’s hosted off-site could get backed up and take forever to process requests. And it’s unlikely you’ll get immediate support from the company you’re working with.
On-site servers, though, can make file-sharing seamless and quick.
Hosting your own dedicated business server can also increase your data storage and processing speeds, so you don’t have to worry about experiencing outages during busy times.
It’s more flexible.
Flexibility is crucial for small and mid-sized businesses. If you’re looking to grow your business, the last thing you need is to get stuck in a lengthy and expensive contract with a third-party company.
Hosting your own server means you can upgrade your memory, your storage and your speed when your business demands it and your budget allows it.
If you think a dedicated server is right for you, let Aventis Systems be your guide to finding the right server for your business. We offer comprehensive IT solutions with tailored configurations that are built to address your technology requirements and simultaneously reduce the need to source parts from multiple vendors, solve compatibility issues, or balance numerous warranties. Call one of our experts today.